Things kicked off Friday night when Joy claimed an awesome 3rd place in the Open Women's Short Track (an event I have learned to know well over the past few years). I was still at work when she was racing, but was glad Teri got to witness first hand what is being dubbed the best race of Joy's career to date!
Race 1: Cross Country
Saturday kicked off the racing for me and the other pros with the cross country race. As this was my first NORBA race as a pro, I was both very excited and VERY NERVOUS. The announcers called each of us to the start line and naturally my last name was mispronounced (Fortunately, Longo says it properly which he would do Sunday at STXC staging). However, I was still excited and also excited that Teri was called up right after me. So we go to start near eachother. Everything would have been fine and dandy had I not been tangled in a pile up that occured no more than 20 yards from the start line. I wasn't hurt, but had to collect myself and my bike and get going again. I had to make my way back through the pack and was stuck behind people WALKING on the very first mini-not-even-really-technical climb. Things would continue like this for much of the first lap, as people were falling everywhere! I managed to make it through the 1st lap back up in the 30s (out of 62 starters) and maintained that through the 2nd lap. Probably was as high as 32nd or 33rd at the start of lap 3. That is when the ol legs said they were done. I felt like I had lost some of my power and the heat was really getting to me. I dropped my chain (on the inside)! Then lost my position and at least a few minutes because of how I felt especially after getting off my bike to get the chain sorted out (a 2nd time). Not to mention the times I fell or had to manage the very fast pro men passing (most were VERY NICE thank you)! I am pretty sure just about EVERYONE who raced the XC fell down at least once or had some issue. Finally when I knew I was getting closer to the end, I was able to pick it back up a bit, but only enough to regain 1 of the spots I had lost. In the end I was 37/62, not too bad for my NORBA pro debut. Also I hadn't slept as much as normal during the days leading up. THAT I am sure, went into play! I will chalk it up as a decent result and a good learning experience.
Thanks to everyone for the awesome support. Especially JOY for feeding me and helping all of us get out little warm up area sorted out, Gregs (Johnson & Pleiss) for sweet photos and words of support, Country James for making me keep on riding up that first steep climb around the walkers, Papo and everyone else who was out there supporting! Also special thanks to our friend David W who also came out from Redlands to watch!
Race 2: Short Track A.K.A "The Hurricane of Pain"
Sunday was the short track on what ended up being quite a challenging course! I tried my best to recover properly after the cross country, so we would see what happens. I was definately tired, still trying to catch up on sleep and manage all of the excitement. I warmed up for a long time hoping that it would help. Staging took place, my name pronounded right (Thanks Longo!) and this time the National Anthem was sung before our race (Sat the pro men had the honor). It was definatley a special feeling to be lined up once again with the best mountain bikers in the country (and some best in the world!). The race started and naturally I got boxed in around the first corner (DARN IT!). I had to seriously make up some time, so I just hammerd around as many people as I could right away. However, we ended up in a massive bottleneck at the descent section. I saw Teri pick up her bike and run over the rocks. I followed her and realized that we were not going to be riding down this thing unless we waited 10 minutes for the bottleneck to clear. It was intense, but we made it down OK and back on the bikes. I knew I had to make up some more positions, so passed a cluster of gals right at the start/finish line. passed a few more around the next few sections. I heard the whistle blowing which meant they were ALREADY pulling people after only 2 laps! YIKES! I guess I needed to hustle. Teri shouted me a message I must have heard without realizing. She had been pulled and was shouting to me to GO!!!!!!! I was in alot of pain (as we all were in this event), but tried my best to keep going. After 4 laps, I was pulled too. Only 22 women ended up staying in without being pulled. Turned around expecting to see the leaders come through and after at LEAST 1 minute, no one was coming. I was very surprised to be pulled because apparently I was not far off some girls who ended up making it into the final 3 laps. OH WELL, next time go faster and don't get boxed in! In the end I finished 34/53. Not too bad, but always so frustrating to get pulled too early!
Before and after the race I got to see several friends who came to watch! Edie, Katy, Greg & Ronda Mader (with baby Lorelei!). Not to mention all of the other usual suspects like Veeze, James, Ara & and the Backbone Crew, fellow K&N teammates, Kenny and who knows who else! I heard alot of voices out there during the race and it HELPED. EVERYONE in the world could hear James (Cross) cheering us on. "I KNOW THIS IS PAINFUL CHRISTIE... BUT THIS IS YOUR KIND OF COURSE!!!!" was just one of the selections from James during the race. Other comments like "GO CHRISTIE GO! GET ON HER WHEEL!" etc etc. The funny thing is that I could hear James EVERYWHERE on the course as if he was right there. Matt commented that he could hear him loud and clear during his race too.
All in all it was a successfull first NORBA weekend. I felt proud to see so many great results for my friends and teammates. Also really enjoyed our house guests and super strong racers: Zeph, Kenny & Heather. All three of them had a great showing at Fontana!
Check out our team site for more scoop on how everyone did and lots of excellent photos!
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